Apple Delays iTunes 11 Release Until November to 'Get it Right'

Missing a release date is rare for Apple, but not unprecedented.

In an unusual move to postpone a previously announced product launch, Apple on Tuesday said it would not release its new iTunes software until November, a month after the company had earlier promised to deliver the update.

Apple said in a statement the delay would allow the company to "get it right," but did not explain what's currently wrong. "The new iTunes is taking longer than expected and we wanted to take a little extra time to get it right," Apple said. "We look forward to releasing this new version of iTunes with its dramatically simpler and cleaner interface, and seamless integration with iCloud before the end of November."

Missing a release date is rare for Apple, but not unprecedented. Almost exactly one year ago, the Cupertino, Calif., company pushed back by a month its iTunes Match feature, which lets users listen to their iTunes music collection from a Web browser.

iTunes' most recent quarterly revenue -- including the sale of apps, digital books as well as songs -- was $2.3 billion. That figure is up from $1.7 billion a year earlier.

As a result, Apple can scarcely afford to fumble an update of its flagship online media and application store. At the time, Apple executives demoed the new design to a live audience, highlighting its simpler user interface, social integration sharing with Facebook and the ability for users to buy content on one device and access it on all devices via iCloud.

Apple already released some of the features, including the ability to synchronize purchases via iCloud, in September with iTunes version 10.7. But the bulk of the updates were slated for the version 11 launch.